Sewing machine



Nov. 28, 1944. c. F. RUBEL 7 7 SEWING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet .1

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, V EN TOR.- 671mm; I'Rubel,

ATTORNEYS.

NOV. 28, 1944. Q U E 2,363,807

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1944. c, F, RUBEL SEWING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FJGAZ.

INVENTOR: fllarlasf'fiafiel, BY W ATTORNEYS- W M v W Nov. 28, 1944. c. F. RUBEL 2,363,807

SEWING-MACHINE Filed May 24, 1941 4 Sheets$heet 4 W I TNESSES; INV EN TOR:

C/zarlas Ffiabel A TTORNEYS.

-machine at high speeds.

in practice, as later on more fully disclosed here in; through provision of. eccentrically-weighted rotary members which are suitably located on; and circumferentially set about, the shaft to Patented Nov. 28, 1944 Charles F. Rubel, Chicago, 111., assignor to Union l Special Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a cor- V poration of Illinois Application May 24,1941, serial No. 394,984

13 Claims. (01. 112-2203 This invention relates to sewing machines; and

while it has more especial reference to overedge sewing machines of the type featured in United States Patent No. 2,133,229granted to the present applicant on October 11, 1938, it is adaptable to other types of sewing machines for attainment of the advantages hereinafter set forth.

Due to differences in the'weight and in the momentum of the reciprocating and/or oscillating elements through which movement is imparted to the stitch-forming and feeding instrumentalities in a sewing machine, to the urieven spacing of the rotary eccentric actuators for said elements circumferentially of the drive shaft, and i to uneven distribution of the load on said shaft, the operation of such a machine is attended by vibrations and noises which have a limiting effect upon the speed, and hence upon theoutput, of the machine. i i

- My invention has for its chief aim to overcome the above drawback with a view toward securing an improved dynamic balance which will insure quiet vibrationless operation of the sewing counterbalance the rotating and oscillating parts.

These counterbalancing members may differ in weight and may be used either alone to compensate for the uneven circumferential spacing ofthe rotaryeccentric actuators and the uneven distribution of the loads on the shaft, or they may in addition serve to cancel out or nullify any vibrationsattending the action of auxiliary counterbalance means directly associated with certain relatively heavy reciprocating or. oscillating parts of the sewing machine as will also be readily understood from the subsequent disclosure. i i i i 3 Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following description of the attacheddrawings, wherein; i i

i Fig. 1 is a view partly in front elevation and partly in longitudinal section of an overedge sewing machine conveniently embodying myinvention, the section being taken as indicated by the angled arrowsI-I in Fig. 2.

Fig; 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in staggered vertical section taken as ap: proximately indicated by the angled arrows II-IIin Fig. l. i

Fig; 3 is a fragmentary This objective I" realize view corresponding generally toFig. 1 and showingmore particularly the means by which the needle and looper bars of the machine'are actuated.

Fig.4 is a detail view inelevation looking as indicated. by the angledarrows IVIV in Fig. 2,

l i of another of the rotary counterbalancing members on the drive shaft;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in section taken as i dicated by the angled arrows VV in Fig. 2 showing one of the rotary counterbalancing members onthe drive shaft of the machine.

i Fig; 6 is a :view like Fig. 3bwith the parts in trated partsdcorresponding in.

'tary. counterbalancing members; and,

changed. positions. 1 l

Fig. 7 isa detail view like .Fig. 4 with the illusshowing in Fig. ,6. Y t i Fig. 8 is a perspective view of onevof the ro- Fig. 9 is a perspectiveview of a trough which serves for a purpose lateriexplained. 1

Briefly described, the illustrated sewing machine has an upright housing! in the form ,of a standard with alaterally projecting portion or head 2 at the top thereof. The horizontallyarranged tangentially-contacting feed wheelsxor cups of .themachine are indicated at 3, 4 in Fig 1,

and shown as secured respectively to the lower ends of vertical shafts 5 and 6 which extend upwardlythroughjsuitable journals into the head 2, A pair of intermes hing spur gears I, Bat the tops of the shafts 5, 6 within the hollow ofthe head 2 determine unison rotation of the two feed wheels 3, 4 in opposite directions as requiredin the feeding. The thread-carrying needle IU. of the sewing machine is securedin 'aholder'l I at the forward or outerend of a horizontal cylin dricalgbar I2 whichpasses through an oil-tight guide sleeve l3 inwthe side wall M of thehousing I. As in the patent; hereinbefore referred to, the needle penetrates fabric passed between the feed wheels 3, n4 substantially at. the point of y i tangency of. said wheelspand cooperating with theneedle in the formation ofxoveredge stitching is a main'thread-carrying looper l5 and an auxiliary instrumentality; in the form of a nonthread carrying looper or spreader 16. The main looper is secured to the outer end. of a carrier bar I! which is arrangedat an acute angle to 1 the horizontal, and which passes-"into the interior of the housing I through anoil-tight guide bushing l8:inthe front'wall llof said housing.

.As presentlyexplained, the bar IT is given endwise reciprocatory movements and also oscillatory movements about its own axis. The auxiliary looper or spreader I6 is carried at the outer position to the end of a separate bar I9 confined to oscillatory movement. As shown, the bar I9 is inclined in parallel relation to the main looper carrier bar l1 and passes to the'interior of the housing I through an elongate bearing sleeve 20 set into the side Wall 4 in a plane below that of said main looper bar.

The mechanism from which the needle and looper carriers I2, 11 .and I9 derive their motion is enclosed in a chamber 2| in the upper part of the housing I, which chamber is normally kept filled with lubricating 'oil to the level indicated at L in Figs. 1 and 2. The actuating mechanism .includes a horizontal drive shaft 22 whereof the ends pass outwardly through inset .bealjing sleeves 23, 24 in the front and rear walls '25; 26 of the housing, as shown in Fig. 2. The needle bar l2 receives its endwise movements'through. a :pitman or connecting rod 2'! from an offset crank.,28 near 24 is a rotary eccentric actuator 29, which,

through a pitman .30 is connected ,to the lower arm 3|a of a vertically. arranged-rocker 3|. From Fig. 2 it will be noted that this rocker ismounted for free oscillation onahorizontal shaft 32 Whereof the ends extend into bosses 3.3, 34 onthe front and rear walls .of the housing .above the drive shaft 22, said .shaft- 32wbeing held against rotation by a set screw:35,xand-the ends of the bores in said bosses being closed by screw plugs 36,37. The rocker 3| is preventedv from ,shiftingalong the shaft 32 by a collar 38 whichbears against-the hub of said rocker at one end,.-the other end of said hub bearing against the 30055134. The-upper arm 3|b of the rocker 3| is coupled, by means of a pitman or connecting'rod 40, with a roller clutch H (Fig. 1) on the shaftfilof the feed wheelv 4, with the result that, through the oscillation ,of 'the rocker 3|, intermittent feed movementsareimparted to the feed wheels 3, .4. Also mounted'for free oscillating. movement onthe shaft "32 is a second woken-.42 whereof the fulcrum boss is confined between -.adjustab1e collars 43, .44 on said shaft32. The pendentarmAZa of the rocker 42;is coupled by means of a pitman'or connecting rod :46, with a second offset cranks inthedrive shaft .22, .see Figsn3 and 6; while the upper arm 42b of said rocker is coupled, by means of a short link 49, with a sleeve 50,onthe carrier bar I! for the main looper I 5. The sleeve 50 is held against axial shifting on the :bar, I] between a collar anda short ball arm-'52,both of which are fixedly secured to said bar. A pitman 53 connects the ball arm 52 with another rotarycactuator in the form of an eccentric55 on the-drive shaft 22. Through the connections just described, "it will be apparent that both endwise reciprocatory movements and oscillatory movements are imparted to the .bar I! as required to predetermine proper cooperation of the main looper with the needlel l] and the auxiliary looper or spreader IS in a manner .well understood. The :bar IQ for the auxiliary :looper or spreader I6 is oscillated throughlcoupling .ofa short ballarm 'BBatitsiImer end by means of a pitman orconnecting rod-5'|, with another .eccentric actuator 5.8 positioned between the eccentrics 29, 55-on the drive shaft-22. Also mounted on the drive shaft '22'is aidisc 59 :-.which dips into the oil supply within the'chamber 2 of the housing and which, by.- its rotation, dispersesloil within said chamberoto automatically lubricate thevarious parts :ofthe actuatin mechanism.

It is tobe noted from the drawings that properly coordinated action of the feedingand-stitchforming instrumentalities of the machine requires that the rotary actuators from which said instrumentalities derive their movements be unequally placed circumferentially of the drive shaft 22. As a consequence of this, and due to the presence of so many oscillating and/or reciprocating parts of different bulk and momentum in the actuating mechanism, and to the varying loads at different points along the shaft, the operation of the machine would ordinarily be attended by consider- .able vibration and noise at the usual speeds.

' As hereinbefore pointed out, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks with a view toward attaining smoother and quieter operation of such a machine so that it canberun atwhich higher speeds with attendant corresponding increase in output therefrom.

.Contributoryto the attainment of these advantages .is the provision of counterbalancing members'BE, 66 which are shown as being incorporated, respectively, with driving whee1s .6'|,-,B8 on the opposite protruding ends of the shaft 22. The wheels. 61,168. are similar in construction and provided, respectively, with plain surfaced annular hand grasp portions:69-;and I0 and with circumferentially groo'ved pulley portions H and -|2-.so

that either one of them may .be-utilized'for manual or power driving of the machine. In the illustrated instance, the rotary counterbalancing members and '66 are made .asseparate elements of annular configuration to fit within :the hol .lowsofthe wheels 61 and 58,-,and' are provided with-central bosses l3 and 1.4. These-bossesengage over thehubs J5 and J6 of the wheels. 6'! and -68 and connect to the rims of the members by radial webs 11 and 18 which differ in mass and weight and which constitute 'counterbalances in eccentricrelation to the-shaftaxis. The-wheels :61 and 68;.are secured to the shaft 22 byset screws respectively designated 79 and 8|], andthe :counterbalance members 65 and -66 secured-to :the

.wheels byscrews 8| and 82.

already pointed out the looper bar has both an oscillatory movement and an -endwise smovement. Ihe limits'of travel of thehndwise movement arewindicated in Fig. 3 where the looper bar 114's shown in its extreme rig-ht hand position, and-inFig. 6 where the said bar is :shown in its extreme left-hand position. .It willlthusbe seen that at each end of its travel the looper bar undergoesa'reversal of direction Which-produces Vibration. In order to directly counteract-such vibration at least in part, I have v-provided a counterweight 83 at the lower end of therocker 42 which counterweight also undergoes achamge pf direction at each end of the travel of; saidarm.

The reversals of direction of the counterweight 33 and-the looper bar I! are simultaneous-in point of time but vareapart. with respect to Thus when the.-coun- .terweightl8 3 is changing direction from leftgto right the looper bar I1 is changing directiqnzfrom right to ;left. -However,'while the horizontalvibration resulting from the action of thelooper bar [1 is thus substantially reduced, anaddi- 't-ional vibration of smaller-degree isyintroduced by the'action-lof the counterweight-83 duetothe fact that-it'is positioned-atthe end-of the rocker arm 42 which pivotslabout the center 32.

consequence of such pivotin the counterweight #83 does not-travel in a path parallelato that of th looper bar II, and hence: thereis set :up-a

verticalcomponent which introduces asecondary vibration of smaller degree when reversal of motion takes place. Forthe elimination of 'jthiS chine frame.

2,363,807 latter or secondary vibration as well as thevibrations setup by. the other partsactu'atedfrom,

the shaft 22,. I rely upon therotarycounterbalancing'members 65, 66 associated with the drive wheels 61, 68. H

In connection with a cup feedsewing machine of. the specific construction herein illustrated by way of example and provided with acountere.

weighted rocker 42, substantially vibrationless op- -eration is obtained by placingthe heavier counterbalancing member 65 in proximity to the rocker weight 83, i. e., on the right hand end of the shaft 22 asconsidered in Fig. :2, and by setting said counterbalancing member and the coing members 65 and 66 relative to the crank 41,

they attain a downward momentumat the time when thecounterweight 83 reverses its motion from right to left, and an upward momentum atthe time, when said counterweight reverses its motion from left, to right (Figs. 3-5). In the 1 caseof the right-hand counterweight 65, the momentum is relatively greater than for that of the counterweight 66 due to the larger mass involved.

Thus, in addition to their modifying influence upon the action of the rocker42, the rotary counterbalances 65, 86 also serve, when positioned on the shaft 22 as aboveexplained, to com eng sate for the unbalance due to the uneven dis posal, of the various rotary eccentric actuators 29, 41, 5.5and 58 and thereby to damp out vibrations which are ordinarilydue to this cause. It is of course tobe understood that the described setting'of the rotary counterbalances' holds only for the specific type of sewing machine herein t shown and may be quite different for other types of machines where a lesser or greaternumber of instrumentalities are actuated from the drive 1 larly counterweighted.

tothe counterweighting of but one of the oscil lating elements of the actuating mechanism in,

a sewing machine of the illustrated type since,

if found necessary or advantageous, the rocker 3| for the needle'bar I2 may, for example, besimi- Within the scope or theappended cl:aims,.the

rotary counterbalances may beincreased in numi her in accordance with special requirements of other types of machines. Moreover, in accordi ance with my invention, the counterbalances may be employed as the sole means of compensating for unbalancedue to uneven circumferential disalong the length of the said shaft.

posal of therotary actuatorson the drive shaft as well as for the uneven distribution of the loads Having thus described my invention,lI claim 1.;Inasewing machine, stitch-forming instrumentalities including a needle and a cooperating looperix-carrier bars respectively for the needle and the" looper; a driveshaft; a rotary eccentric actuator on the drive shaft from which the needle bar derives its movements; another rotary eccentric actuator on the drive shaft operative through i .a rocker to reciprocate the looperbar; and means for eliminating vibration during the operation of themachine including a counterweight on the rocker,anda plurality of eccentrically-weighted counterbalancing members secured in different If desired, the eounterbalancing members 65, i

66 maybeso constructedas tobe independently adjustable circumferentially of the wheels. 61, 68.

However, in practice, after the proper preparation and setting of the counterweight members 65,,

66 has once been determined bytrial for a specific type of sewing machine, I preferjforfithe sake of economy in assembling subsequent machines of the same type at the factory, to secure saidcounterweights to the wheels 61, 68 permanently in such positions in the manner illustrated in the drawings.

As another alternative the counterbalancing weights l1 and '18 maybe integrally formed with e the wheels 61, 6 8 ifthis should be found desirable or advantageous. e In order to prevent interference with the movement of the rocker 42 and at the same time obviate churning or breaking up ofthe oil in the bottom of the chamber 2|, a guard in the form of a trough is placed within'said chamber to excludeoil from the path ofthe counterweight 83 at the bottom'end ofsaid rocker; As shown,

the trough 84 is provided with a tongue 85 for attachment by screws BB'to the shaft bearing boss 8'! on the frame wall 25"; but if foundtobe more expedient, it may be cast integrally with the ma- My inventionis not to beregarded' asiimiteu circumferential positions at .difierent' points along the shaft.

2. In a sewing machine, a stitch forming in- .strumentality and a reciprocating carrier therefor, a horizontal rotary shaft; means including a rotary actuator on the shaft and a rockerj for actuating the carrier; additional rotary actuators on the shaftfor actuating other'moving parts of the machine diiferingin weight and momenturn, said rotary actuators being all mounted i on the shaft intermediate its ends; means for damping vibrationsinthemachine including a weight mass associated with the rocker and reciprocated in a path substantiallyparallel to the line of movement of the carrier at'a corresponding rate but in opposed relation thereto, and'eccentrically weighted membersof different mag nitude at opposite ends of the shaft differently disposed circumferentially thereof and ccacting to counterbalance the several rotaryactuators and the parts operated thereby. v

3, In :a sewing machine, a closed housing},

stitch forming instrumentalities external to said housing; a drive shaft extending horizontally through oil-tight bearings in opposite side walls of the housing; an endwise reciprocating carrier bar for one of the stitch forming instrumentalities extending through an oil-tight guide bearing to thefinterior of the housin means including a rotaryactuator on the shaft within the housing and a, rocker for actuating the 'carrierbar; other rotary actuators on' the shaft within the housing for actuating carriers for others ofthe stitch forming instrumentalities differing in weight and momentum from the bar aforesaid; and means for damping vibrations in the machine including a weight mass associated with the rocker and reciprocated in a path substantially parallel to the'line of movement of the reciprocating carrier bar at a corresponding rate but in opposed relation thereto; andeccentrically weighted members mounted on the opposite protruding ends of the shaft, said members being differentlydisposed circumferentially of said shaftand coactingto counterbalance the several rotary actuators and the parts actuated thereby.

i 2.4.. In .;a ;sewing :machine, a OlOSBd mousing, :sltitch forming:instrumentalities :external to said housing; ,a shaft extendingzhorizontally through oil-tight :bearings in opposite side :wallsof the housing; .anendwise; reciprocating carrier-barrier one of the stitch forming;instrumentalitieasex- :atendingrthroughnan oil-tight :guide bearing to-the interior of the housing; means including a--:rotary actuator :on the :shaft'zwithin the housing and a rocker for actuating the carrier bar ;-additional motary actuators Orr the shaft within the housing for =.actuating carriers for others of the stitch forming instrumentalities differing in weight and momentumyfrom-the bar aforesaid; and

;means for damping vibrations in'the machine including a Weight :massassociated withthe rocker and ,reciprocated gin a: path substantially parallel to the lineof movement ofxthercarrier 5 132.1 ata corresponding-rate but in opposed relationwthereto; and ecoentrical-ly weighted memhas of different magnitudes mounted on the op- "interior of the housing; mean includingia rotary actuator on the shaft within the housing-anda rocker for actuating the-carrier bar; additional yrotary actuators on the shaft within the housing for actuating carriers for others of the stitch forming instrumentalities differing in weight and momentum from the carrierpbar aforesaid; and means for damping vibrations in the machine including a weight mass associated with the rock- ,er reciprocated in .apath substantially parallel to the line of movement of the carrier bar :atia corresponding rate but :in opposed relation thereto; drive wheels respectively mounted on $1161.01)- -posite protruding ends of the shaft; and eccentrically disposed weights on said-,drive wheels cooperating to counterbalance the several rotary actuators and the parts actuated thereby.

6. In a sewing machine, a closed housing, stitch forming instrumentalities external to said. housing; a shaft extending horizontally throughoil- "tightrbearings in opposite side walls of the housing; an endwise reciprocating carrier bar for one of. the stitch forming instrument-alities extending through-an oil-tight guideibearingto the interior ciof thefihousing; means including a rotary actu- --.ator on the shaft within thehousingand-a rocker for-actuating the carrier bar; additional rotary actuators on the shaft-within the housingifor actuating carriers for others of the stitchaforming instrtimentalities \differing in weight and moimenturmfrom the .bar aforesaid; and means for site protruding ends of the shaft; and eccentric weights differently .disposed circumferentiallyf the wheels and cooperating to counterbalance the .several rotaryuactuators and the .parts actuated thereby.

17.1fm .-.a;;sewi-ngmachine; a closedhousmg nstitch damning vinstrumentalities externalvto; :saidtrhousling; shaftxextending horizontally iithrough toilctigh sbearingsiincopposite sidewalls; of athezhousing; a reciprocating carrier bar :for one :of ;the1;:stitch:iforming instrumentalities :aextending through: anioili-itight guiderbearing to the: interior -ofitheihousilng;smeans'inc'ludingta rotary actuator --on thetshaft :within the housing and-a rockerfor --actuating.sthe carrier bar; additional rotary' actuzatorsion itheishaft within therhous'ingfor actuat- .-ing .:carriers forothers of the stitch. formin in- -strumental ities ;;differing in weight and. momen- -tumfrom the bar aforesaid and means for Ldamp- --i=ng:v i brations in the .machine including a weight image-associated: with t-he racker and reciprocated a path substantially :parallelto the line-cf movement of the carrierbar aforesaid-aha corresponding -rate 1 but in opposed relation thereto;

drive-wheelsrespectivelymounted on the opposite protruding ends of the -shaft; and eccentric "weight-s of I diiferent magnitude differently disposed -circurnferentially of the drive *wheels :and cooperating to counterbalance the several rotary actuators and the partsactuated thereby.

*In a "sewing 'machine, a' stitch forminghnstrumentakli-t-yra carrier therefor; a medially fulcrumed -lever having one "arm thereof operatively "connected {to the carrier and having a counterweight-attheend of*its other-army-atid actuating-means "connected to the lastmentioned arm of the lever at a point between the fillcrum and the counterweighhwhereby said counterweight andthe carrier are contrarily reciprocated concurrently in substantially parallel paths with consequent minimization of vibration'in'the machine.

. 9. In a sewing machine, stitch forming instru- .mentalities including a reciprocatedneedle; .a 'looper tov cooperate with the needle; carriers in the form of reciprocating bars respectivelyfor said needle .and looper; a medially fulcrumed leverhaving one arm thereof operatively connected to one of the bars and having a counterwcight at the end of its other arm; actuating means operatively connected to the last mentioned arm of the lever at a point between the fulcrum and the counterweight whereby said counterweight and said bar are contrarily re- 7 cluding' a rotar shaft from which said bars are operated in properly timed relation.

.10.,In a sewing machine, a stitch forminginstrumentality and a reciprocating carrier there- .for; a medially, fulcrumed lever. having one arm thereof operatively connected to the carrier -.and

lhavingza counterweight .at-the end of its other -.end oftitsother .arm; a .rotaryactuator. on the reciprocated concurrently in substantiall paral shaft operatively connected to the last mentioned arm of the lever at a point between the fulcrum 1 12. In a sewing machine, a stitch forming instrumentality and a reciprocating carrier therefor; a horizontal rotary shaft; a medially fulcrumed lever having one arm thereof operative- 7 1y connected to the carrier, and having a counterweight at the end of itsother arm; a rotary actuator on the shaft operatively connected to the last mentioned arm of the lever; whereby said counterweight and the carrier are contrarily lel paths; additional rotary actuators on the shaft cooperating with other moving parts of the machine which differ in weight andmomentum,

said rotary actuators being mounted on the shaft intermediate its ends, and eccentrically weighted members respectively at opposite ends of the shaft and differently disposed circumferentially thereof coacting to' counterbalance the several rotary actuators and the parts actuated there- 13. The invention according to claim 8, in which the weight of the counterweight is sub stantially equal to that of the carrier, and in i which the connection between the lever .andthe carrier and the connection between the actuating means and the lever are substantially equidistant from the fulcrum of the lever for movement of the counterweight and the carrier through substantially the same distances.

CHARLES F. RUBEL. 

